Integration of remote microcell with CDMA infrastructure

ABSTRACT

An integrated microcellular communication system and a CDMA communication system having signal advancing capabilities wherein a signal is advanced to compensated for the time delay induced by communication signal travel over a fiber optic connections between a base station cellsite and a remote microcell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/088,506filed on Jun. 1, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,571.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)communication system and more particularly to a CDMA system integratedwith a remote microcell communication system.

BACKGROUND ART

Microcells in a cellular communication system allow coverage andadditional capacity in an area that is not reachable by a base stationcellsite, such as a CDMA cellsite. The CDMA system has up to six faces.Three are physical faces, which are the three physical faces of thesystem's antenna. There are also three virtual faces that behave as aphysical face but are not a physical part of the antenna of the CDMAsystem.

Each virtual face can be a remote microcell, and more than one remotemicrocell can be integrated with each face. A remote microcell isinstalled in the area of desired coverage and is then connected back tothe base station cellsite through appropriate channels, such as opticalfiber.

Remote microcell arrangements, however, experience time delays in thesignal caused by the excessive amount of time required for the CDMAsignal to travel from the base station cellsite to the remote microcell,and then to travel through the internal circuitry of the microcellitself. CDMA is a synchronized system, working in conjunction with theGlobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, and some microcell systems donot have re-synchronizing capabilities. Therefore, the time delayedsignal emitted by the microcell can also be out of synch with the restof the CDMA system causing communication problems.

The delayed signal is often compensated for by setting an extremelylarge search window size parameter to allow a mobile device, i.e. ahandset, to access the system. The mobile device will accept a latesignal and has the capability to synthesize the late signal. However,this takes up processing power. In addition, a wider search window sizetakes more time to scan and therefore, adds more time delay in thesystem making it less reliable. It is desirable to have a narrow searchwindow for faster, reliable service.

The excessive delay caused during a round-trip of the signal can alsoresult in call setup failures. In general, a predetermined sector sizethat is broadcast to the mobile device establishes the area to beserved. Radio waves take a set amount of time to travel through the airand return. A limit is set for the amount of time given for a signal totravel to the mobile device and broadcast back out, which effectivelycircumscribes an active communication circle around the mobile device.Because of signal delay in the optic fiber, the CDMA system can perceivethe signal delay as an indication that the mobile device is much fartheraway from the microcell than it actually is and the call will not beallowed on the system, thus resulting in call setup failures. It isdesirable to have a large sector size, but the time delay associatedwith a large sector size is undesirable.

Prior art devices have compensated for the delay between CDMA and aremote microcell by inducing delay in order to provide the appearance ofa synchronized system. In the prior art, the delay is induced to allowgreater than one microsecond of difference between the two signals sothat a receiver can provide multipath signals. The system appears to besynchronized by providing multiple paths for signals to travel. However,this approach does not address the problem of extremely large searchwindow sizes and call setup failures.

It is an object of the method of the present invention to integrate amicrocell system that does not have a re-synchronizing device, with aCDMA system to eliminate the above mentioned problems caused by signaldelay associated with remote microcells and CDMA base stations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forintegrating the microcell system with the CDMA system by advancing thesignal in order to compensate for time delay generated as a result ofthe signal leaving the CDMA cellsite, traveling to the remote microcelland returning to the CDMA cellsite.

It is a further object of the present invention to calculate suitablevalues for padding the sector size to eliminate call setup failures dueto the signal delay between the remote and the cellsite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of integrating a microcell system witha CDMA system. The microcell system does not have re-synchronizingcapabilities, such as an ADC Kentrox™ system, while the CDMA system hassignal advancing capabilities, such as a Lucent™ system.

The present invention provides a method that determines the amount toadvance the CDMA signal so that when it reaches the remote microcell,the time delay has been compensated for and the signal is synchronizedwith the CDMA system. The method also provides for nullifying the roundtrip time delay allowing call setups to occur normally.

The objects and features will become more apparent to one skilled in theart from the following detailed description taken together with theaccompanying drawings and the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CDMA base station cellsite and itsinterrelationship with a plurality of remote microcells;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the measurement section;

FIG. 3 is a sample format for recording data measurements andcalculations for a stand alone CDMA;

FIG. 4 is a sample format for recording data measurements andcalculations for a simulcast CDMA;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting the installation section for the standalone CDMA;

FIG. 6 is an interconnection diagram for the stand alone CDMA;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting the installation section for thesimulcast CDMA;

FIG. 8 is an interconnection diagram for a simulcast CDMA;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting the calculations section;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting the translation section;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting the level setting section; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the testing section.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in conjunction with an ADCKentrox™ microcell and a Lucent™ CDMA base station. However, it shouldbe noted that the method's success does not rely on these manufacturersalone, and it is possible to apply the method to other remote microcellsystems that do not have re-synchronizing capabilities along with otherCDMA base stations that have signal advancing capabilities.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of a CDMA basestation 10 or cellsite having six faces 11. Three of the faces arephysical; namely A, B and C and three faces are virtual, namely D, E,and F. The base station 10 is in communication with a plurality ofremote microcells 12 that are linked by optical fibers 14. The length ofthe fibers 14 varies and can be up to several miles long. So while theremote microcells 12 provide cellular coverage in an area that would nototherwise be accessible, the fiber optic connections induce a time delayin the communication signal which degrades the communicationcapabilities of the overall system.

The method of the present invention provides enhanced communicationbetween remote microcells and CDMA systems in both simulcast and standalone configurations. A simulcast CDMA system shares a group of circuitsbetween the base station cellsite 10 and the microcells 12. Thesimulcast CDMA provides radio coverage to an area that would nototherwise be covered by the existing base station cellsite 10. Theaddition of the remote microcells 12 does not affect the total number ofcircuits. Therefore, signal blocking can occur if the demand forcircuits exceeds the supply.

In a stand alone configuration, a group of circuits is dedicated to theremote microcell 12, and are not shared with the base station cellsite10. Therefore, radio coverage is provided to an area that would nototherwise be covered by the existing base station and the total capacityof the cellsite is increased because the number of circuits isincreased. It is less likely that blocking will occur because of theincreased number of circuits. However, the stand alone system requiresmore hardware and is therefore more expensive than the simulcast CDMA.

In general the overall method is the same for both the simulcast andstand alone CDMA systems, with only minor differences that will bepointed out during the detailed description as necessary.

For both systems there are several initial conditions that must besatisfied before proceeding with the method of the present invention.The microcell must be physically connected to the base station cellsite.The radio spectrum must be cleared using any known method to ensure thesuccessful transmission of the CDMA signal. For the stand aloneconfiguration, a fully equipped stand alone CDMA shelf must be installedfor each remote microcell to be integrated.

The method of integration for both the simulcast and stand alone CDMAconfigurations can be divided into six sections categorized as follows:Measurements, Installation, Calculations, Translations, Level Settingand Testing. It is possible to integrate more than one remote microcellto each CDMA cellsite, and the sections of the method must be executedseparately for each remote being integrated.

The method generally includes taking necessary measurements to performcalculations for setting translation values and power levels in thesystem so that the signal is advanced to avoid time delay communicationproblems and the sector size is calculated and adjusted to avoid callsetup failures.

Measurements Section

The method of the present invention begins by measuring the length ofthe fiber optic connection between the CDMA base station cellsite 10 andthe remote microcells 12, the loss in the fiber optic connections, andthe power output at the remote microcells 12. See FIG. 2, which depictsthe measurements section 20 of the method in flow chart form. Themeasurements section 20 obtains the necessary measurement that arerequired to calculate the proper translation values and power levelsettings necessary in later sections of the method.

The first step in taking the necessary measurements requires checking 22the CDMA base station cellsite to ensure it is in normal operatingcondition. Using interfacing software, one skilled in the art is capableof determining the status of the CDMA cellsite and making the necessarychanges should the cellsite be out of its normal condition. Anymaintenance deficiencies and repairs 23 should be made before proceedingwith the measurements section 20.

The remote microcell, or face, to be integrated should be removed fromthe cellsite in order to service it under the method of the presentinvention. None of the measurements should be taken until all activecalls have been dropped from the remote microcell.

The fiber length must be measured first for a lower wavelength 24. Thiscan be done by a variety of methods known to one of ordinary skill inthe art. The following description is merely an example. The optic fiber14 should be disconnected at the remote 12 end. The optic fiber 14 isremoved at the base station cellsite and connected to an Optical TimeDomain Reflector (OTDR).

A lower wavelength is selected. For example, 1310 nm is the lowerwavelength specific to the microcell manufacturer for this example. Amaximum value is also selected, which value should be in kilofeet (kft)for convenience in the calculations section. The value chosen for themaximum range should be estimated to be equal to or greater than theactual length of the fiber 14 between the cellsite 10 and the remote 12.Typically this range is approximately 13 kft.

Using a 2-Point method, the OTDR will measure the loss and distance inthe fiber 14. The distance (in kft) and loss (in dB) are recorded 26 ona data sheet: FIG. 3 depicts a sample data sheet relative to the standalone CDMA and FIG. 4 depicts a sample data sheet relative to thesimulcast CDMA. The distance and loss for the lower wavelengthmeasurement will be displayed between the falling edge of the firstsignal pulse and the rising edge of the last pulse. If the distancebetween the two pulses is less than half of the width displayed, then asmaller distance value is chosen for the range and the 2-Pointmeasurement is repeated. If no more than two pulses are displayed, alarger distance value should be chosen for the range and the 2-pointmeasurement should be repeated.

It is also necessary to measure the fiber length for an upper wavelength28. S sample upper wavelength is selected, for example 1550 nm due tothe manufacturer of the microcell in the present example, and the2-Point measurement steps are repeated. The results are also recorded 30on a data sheet. After the fiber length in the upper wavelength ismeasured, the fiber is reconnected at the remote location. If more thanone remote 12 is being integrated, the above steps should be repeatedfor each remote. Once all remote measurements have been taken, thefibers can be reconnected at the base station cellsite.

The next step is to measure the power output at the remote microcell 32.A power meter and sensor should be zeroed and calibrated to ensureaccurate measurements. the antenna feedline from the remote microcell'sRF output connector is disconnected, and the power sensor to the RFoutput is connected. A single Voice-Radio Channel Unit (V-RCU) is thenidentified as the “master” radio for the remote to be integrated. Theradio number and channel should be noted for future reference. Once theradio is configured as the “master”, the radio transmitter is turned on.The radio is set to the same Voice Radio Attenuation Level (VRAL)setting as the remote 12 uses in normal operation. The output power ismeasured in dBm and the values are recorded 34 on the data sheet.

Subsequently, the radio is deconfigured and the antenna feedline isreconnected to the remote's RF output power connector. The powermeasurements are repeated with the power sensor connected to theremote's RF monitor port 36 and the results are recorded 38. The powermeasurements are repeated and determined for all of the remotes beingintegrated.

The power meter is then applied to the base station cellsite to measurethe output power of one radio at the input of one cellsite digitizer 40.The cable between the output of the Radio Interface Module (RIM) card39, (see FIG. 6), and the input of the first digitizer is disconnected.The power output of the digitizer is measured by following the samesteps outlined above for measuring the power output at the RF outputconnector. This is accomplished for each digitizer of the CDMA cellsiteand the results are recorded 42.

For a simulcast CDMA only, the power output for the CDMA should bemeasured at the output port of the transmitter base station 44, alsoknown as the foam jumper, for each remote being integrated. It isimportant to make sure that all of the digitizers that were removed foroutput power measurements in the previous step are reconnected beforemeasuring the output power at the foam jumper 44. The results are againrecorded 45.

For both the simulcast and stand alone CDMA's, the following additionaldata should be collected 46:

(a) the total number of radios assigned to the remote being integratedwith the CDMA;

(b) the number of radios assigned to the remote which are in the CDMAbandwidth that have been removed from service when spectrum clearing isinitiated;

(c) the RIM card transmit and receive antenna attenuation setting foreach remote being integrated;

(d) the version of the digitizer used for each remote;

(e) the remote attenuation level;

(f) the Baseband Combiner and Radio (BCR) attenuation of the remotebeing integrated; and

(g) the pn-offset of the remote being integrated.

These values should be recorded 48 on the respective data sheet forfuture reference in the calculations and translations sections for themethod of the present invention.

Installation Section

The purpose of the installation section is to accomplish the physicalinterconnection of the microcell hardware to the CMDA base stationcellsite. Additional measurements are taken as necessary. Theinstallation is different for the stand alone and simulcast CDMAsystems.

Stand Alone CDMA Installation

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 5, the method of installation 50 fora stand alone CDMA is shown. For the stand alone CDMA system, a 4:1combiner is installed 52 for each face, and the input cable from theassociated Base Band Assembly (BBA) is connected to the proper input ofthe 4:1 combiner (see FIG. 6 for the hardware interconnection diagramfor the 4:1 combinwer 53). The output power level reading is measured 54at the 4:1 combiner. The BBA is restored to service and the output gainpotentiometer of the BCR is adjusted to an output level of −23 dBm. TheBBA is then removed from service to avoid transmitting from the BBA withno load. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the transmit cable 55 isconnected to the 4:1 combiner 53 for the remote being integrated, andthe other end of the transmit cable 55 is connected to the nextavailable input on the RIM card 39.

A 10 dB attenuator 57 is connected 56 to the top of the 4:1 combiner 53in the CDMA for the remote being integrated. One end of the receivecable 58 is connected to the attenuator 57 and the other end of thereceive cable 58 is connected to the next available input on the RIMcard 39. Finally, the 4:1 combiner 53 is terminated with a 50 Ωterminator 59. The next step is to proceed to the calculations section.

Simulcast CDMA Installation

For the simulcast CDMA, the installation section 60 is depicted as aflow chart in FIG. 7. The hardware interconnection diagram is depictedin FIG. 8. The first step is to insert 62 a 2:1 combiner 67 on thetransmit cable 63. The transmit cable 63 that runs to the LinearAmplifier Circuit (LAC) of the CDMA from the 4:1 combiner 65 is removedand connected to a 2:1 combiner 67. The transmit cable for the microcellis then connected to the 2:1 combiner 67, and the transmit cable isconnected to the next available input on the RIM card 39.

The next step is to insert 64 a 2:1 combiner 67 on the receive cable 69.The existing receive cable is removed from the top of the 4:1 combiner65, and connected to the 2:1 combiner 67. A 6 dB attenuator 71 isconnected 66 to another port of the 2:1 combiner 67 and the receivecable 69 is then connected to the 6 dB attenuator 71. The Receive cable69 is connected to the next available input on the RIM card 39. Aconnection should also be made between the center of the 2:1 combiner 67and the antenna interface frame (not shown). The receive cable 69 isalso re-connected to the top of the 4:1 combiner 65.

The BBA is restored to service 68, and the output gain potentiometer isadjusted on the BCR until the output level 44 previously recorded in themeasurements section 40 is displayed. Finally, the BBA is removed fromservice unconditionally 70. The next step is to proceed to thecalculations section.

Calculations Section

A flow chart for the calculations section 80 is shown in FIG. 9. Thecalculations section 80 uses the data obtained in the measurementssection 20 to define values that will be used in the translations 100and level setting sections 200 of the method that will allow the signalto be sufficiently advanced to as to compensate for the time delay. Thecalculations are very similar for both the stand alone CDMA and thesimulcast CDMA and the differences will be pointed out accordingly.

The first calculation is the transmit antenna propagation delaycalculation 82. The maximum forward path propagation delay is determinedand this value is recorded in the data sheets for each remote on theface being integrated. For this purpose, the following calculation tablecan be used:

Fiber distance measurement in kft for remote: Conversion factor for kftto miles: ÷  5.280 Conversion factor for fiber distance to delay: × 7.878 Add propagation delay induced by cellsite: + 22.80 Addpropagation delay induced by digitizer: + 1 or 8 Total transmitpropagation delay for this remote: =This calculation is repeated for each remote on the face beingintegrated and the results are recorded on the respective data sheet.

After the forward path propagation delays have been calculated for allthe remotes on the stand alone CDMA face, the lowest value 84 on thedata sheet is selected. This value is used in the translations section100.

Unlike a stand alone CDMA, the changes made to the operating system fora simulcast microcell also affect the base station cellsite. To avoidaltering the operation of the base station, a default value of 22.8microseconds 86 is used in the translations section 100 for thesimulcast CDMA method. This value is recorded in the simulcast datasheet (FIG. 4). While this value is 22.8 microseconds for the presentexample, it will vary depending on the manufacturer and may vary withdifferent equipment.

Next, for both stand alone and simulcast CDMA, the maximum receive pathpropagation delay 88 is determined for each remote on the face beingintegrated and these values are recorded 90 on the respective datasheet. The following calculation table may be used:

Fiber length from measurements section: Conversion factor for kft tomiles: ÷  5.280 Conversion factor for fiber distance to delay: ×  7.878Add propagation delay induced by cellsite: + 14.00 Add propagation delayinduced by digitizer: + 3 or 17 Total receive path propagation delay forthis remote: =

After the receive path propagation delays have been calculated for allremotes on the stand alone face, the lowest value in the stand alonedata sheet is selected and recorded 90. This value is used in thetranslations section 100.

Since changes made for a simulcast microcell also affect the basestation cellsite, a default value 92 of 14.0 microseconds is used in thetranslations section. This value is recorded in the simulcast datasheet. Again, this value is dependent upon the specific equipment usedand may vary with a different manufacturer.

The next step is to determine the maximum transmit differential delay 94of all remotes on the face being integrated by calculating thedifferential delay for each remote. The results should be recorded inthe data sheet. There are different procedures for the stand alone andsimulcast CDMA systems. The following calculations table highlight thedifferences.

For the stand alone CDMA, the calculation table is as follows:

Transmit antenna propagation delay: Receive antenna propagation delay: +Enter subtotal from above: = Average subtotal: ÷ 2 Total transmitdifferential delay for this remote:This calculation is repeated for each remote on the face beingintegrated, and recorded 96 on the stand alone data sheet.

For the simulcast CDMA, the calculation table is slightly different:

Transmit antenna propagation delay: Receive antenna propagation delay: +Base station induced transmit propagation delay: − 22.8 Base stationinduced receive propagation delay: − 14.0 Enter subtotal: = Averagesubtotal: ÷  2 Total transmit differential delay for this remote: =The difference for the simulcast CDMA is that the default values of theactual delay of the base station transmitter and the base stationreceiver are included to ensure the base station remains unaffected. Forthe present example, the base station transmitter delay is 22.8microseconds and the base station receiver delay is 14.0 microcseconds.These values are specific to the equipment manufacturer and may varywith other manufacturer's equipment.

This calculation is repeated for each remote on the face beingintegrated and the results are recorded 96 in the simulcast data sheet.If this value exceeds a predetermined time limit, 90 microseconds in thepresent example, the face cannot be successfully integrated. Thehardware has sepcific limits built into it that cannot be over-ridden.Therefore, if the time delay is more than the built-in limits of thehardware, it will not be possible to advance the signal.

Selecting the maximum value to be used in the translation section is thesame for both the stand alone CDMA and the simulcast CDMA. Each remote'sdata sheet should be examined to find the largest and smallest values ofthe transmit differential delay calculated in the previous step. Themaximum differential delay 95 is calculated using the following datatable and the value is recorded 96 on the data sheet:

Largest transmit differential delay of all remotes: Smallest transmitdifferential delay of all remotes: − Maximum transmit differentialdelay: =

The next step is to calculate the sector size 98 for the face beingintegrated. The method of the present invention pads the sector sizevalue so that suitable values for the sector size allow call setupswithout failure.

The following calculation table can be used to determine the sector sizetranslation value:

Maximum transmit differential delay: Add free-space propagation delayfor 3 miles: + 16.08 Enter subtotal: = Convert microseconds to miles: ÷ 5.36 Sector size:This value should be recorded on the respective data sheet 100. Thefree-space propagation delay for 3 miles is factored into thecalculation to ensure sufficient overlap of the sector size. This valuewill be manufacturer dependent and could vary depending on the equipmentdesign.

The next calculation is the search window size 102 for the face beingintegrated. This varies slightly between the stand alone CDMAconfiguration and the simulcast CDMA configuration. This value should berecorded 104 on the data sheet.

The following calculation table is for a stand alone CDMA:

Maximum transmit differential delay: Additional delay based onassumption + 16.28 remote is within 3 miles of nearest neighbor:Subtotal: Double for + and − center of window: ×  2 Cell search windowsize:The following calculation table' is used for a simulcast CDMA:

Maximum transmit differential delay: Base station induced propagationdelay: − 14.0 Additional delay based on assumption + 16.28 remote iswithin 3 miles of nearest neighbor: Subtotal: Double for + and − centerof window: ×  2 Cell search window size:The simulcast CDMA must include the manufacturer's default value for thedelay induced by the base station transmitter. This is the actual delayinduced by the base station transmitter.

The next steps involve power calculations that are the same for both thestand alone CDMA and the simulcast CDMA. The actual input analog powerto the digitizer is determined when all radios on the face to beintegrated are active 106. The following calculation table may be used:

Total number of radios on face: Number of radios removed from face: −Subtotal: = Logarithm (base 10) of subtotal: log Multiply by a factor of10: × Power measured for 1 radio at input to digitizer: Composite analogpower to input of digitizer:The sign of the analog radio input power may be a negative value andshould be scrutinized.

The total gain and the actual gain of the system for each remote on theface being integrated is calculated next by using the followingcalculation table. The calculations are the same for both the standalone CDMA and the simulcast CDMA. For the total gain calculation 108,the following data table is used:

-   Output power measured in measurements section:-   Input power for one radio measured at input to digitizer:-   LPA attenuation of remote:-   Total gain of system for this remote:    This calculation is performed for each remote on the face being    integrated, and the results are recorded on the data sheet 110.

The actual gain of the system 112 is calculated for each remote on theface being integrated using the following calculation table:

Output power measured at remote: Input power for 1 analog radio measuredat digitizer input: − LPA attenuation of this remote: + Actual systemgain for this remote: =This calculation should be made for each remote on the face beingintegrated and recorded on the data sheet 114.

Next, it will be necessary to calculate the CDMA input power level tothe digitizer 116 to determine the adjustment that needs to be made tothe Baseband Combiner and Radio. The following calculations table may beused for both a stand alone and a simulcast CDMA:

+26 dBm for CDMA: 26 Expected System gain (given by Microcell Mfr.): −61 LPA Attenuation previously calculated: + Adjust CDMA input level atdigitizer to this amount: =This calculation is repeated for each remote on the face beingintegrated, and recorded 118 in the data sheet.

The total CDMA and analog composite power 120 is determined when allradios on the face to be integrated are active and all CDMA channels onthe face are active. The sign of the analog or CDMA input power shouldbe noted, as the value may be negative.

Analog composite power to digitizer: Divide by 10: ÷ 10 Raise analogcomposite power to the power of base 10: 10^(×) CDMA ideal compositepower level to digitizer: Add 7dB to allow for a fully loaded CDMA: + 7Divide by 10: ÷ 10 Raise result to the power of base 10: 10^(×) AddAnalog composite power total: + Subtotal: = Logarithm (base 10): logMultiply by 10: × 10 Analog and digital composite power to input ofdigitizer: =Translations Section

In the translations section 200 of the method of the present invention,the appropriate values are entered into the system database 210 to allowthe microcell to function in the CDMA system (see FIG. 10). Some valuesare assumptions based on the manufacturer's specifications that can besubstituted for manufacturer's other than those discussed herein. Othervalues are taken from the calculations section.

For a stand alone CDMA, the following translations are made:

-   Transmit Antenna Propagation Delay from Calculations Section:-   Receive Antenna Propagation Delay from Calculations Section:-   Search Window Size from Calculations Section:-   Sector Size from Calculations Section:

Maximum Differential Transmit Delay from Calculations Section: InitialPower Offset for Access (Mfr. Spec.): −5 Access Probe Power Increment(Mfr. Spec.): 4 BCR Attenuation Factor (Mfr. Spec.): 6 Access ChannelPreamble Length (Mfr. Spec.): 2 Time Randomization for Access ChannelProbes (Mfr. Spec.): 6 Eb/No Setpoint - Minimum (Mfr. Spec.): 5 Eb/NoSetpoint - Maximum (Mfr. Spec.): 9.8For a simulcast CDMA, the following translations are made:

-   Transmit Antenna Propagation Delay from Calculations Section: 22.8-   Receive Antenna Propagation Delay from Calculations Section: 14-   Search Window Size from Calculations Section:-   Sector Size from Calculations Section:

Maximum Differential Transmit Delay from Calculations Section: InitialPower Offset for Access (Mfr. Spec.): −5 Access Probe Power Increment(Mfr. Spec.): 4 Access Channel Preamble Length (Mfr. Spec.): 2 TimeRandomization for Access Channel Probes (Mfr. Spec.): 6 Eb/No Setpoint -Minimum (Mfr. Spec.): 5 Eb/No Setpoint - Maximum (Mfr. Spec.): 9.8The database should be updated so that the operating system uses theabove entered values ensuring the signal is sufficiently advanced tocompensate for the time delay generated during the signal's travel overthe fiber optic connection. The translation values also ensure that thesector size is sufficiently padded to avoid call setup failures.Level Setting Section

The level setting section 300 uses previous measurements andcalculations to ensure the analog and CDMA output levels are properlyset. A flow chart is shown in FIG. 11.

The first step is to configure the CDMA for pilot-only 310 by updatingthe database. The pilot acts as a beacon for a mobile device to locatethe base station. Pilot-only ensures the CDMA channels are sufficientlyreferenced to a known and repeatable state. The existing values for thepaging channel gain and synchronization channel gain are recorded, thenthe values are updated to zero. These changes to the database will takeeffect by logically removing and then restoring the CDMA clustercontroller (CCC) for the face being integrated.

For the stand alone CDMA, the power sensor is reconnected to thedigitizer input cable previously used for the analog radio powermeasurement, and the BBA is logically restored to serviceunconditionally. The CDMA output power to the input of the digitizer 320is adjusted by observing the display of the power meter and adjustingthe output power potentiometer on the front panel of the BCR until themeter reads the value calculated 106 in the calculations section 80.

For the simulcast CDMA, the power sensor head is removed from the foamjumper and the foam jumper is reconnected to the waveguide from which itwas removed. The first remote for the face being integrated is selected,and the power sensor head is connected to the input cable of thisremote's digitizer. The BBA is logically restored to serviceunconditionally, and the power meter display is observed 330. It shouldbe within ±3 dBm with the ideal input level calculated in thecalculations section. If the display exceeds the value by more than 3dBm, the appropriate in-line attenuator should be used on the transmitcable to reduce the signal to within 3 dBm of the ideal level. If thevalue is less than the ideal level by more than 3 dBm, it is possiblethat there may be insufficient signal strength to make CDMA calls fromthe microcell. This can be determined in the testing section.

For both the stand alone and simulcast CDMA, the BBA is logicallyremoved from service unconditionally and the digitizer is reconnected340.

For a simulcast CDMA, the power display comparison is repeated for eachremaining digitizer on the face being integrated.

For both the stand alone and simulcast CDMA's, the paging channel gainand synchronization channel gain are restored 350 to the values recordedabove, before these values were set to zero.

Testing Section

A flow diagram for the testing section 400 is shown in FIG. 12. Afterrestoring the cellsite to normal service 410, the testing proceduresensure the newly integrated face is operating normally. The testingprocedure checks for RF leakage in the cellsite and for normalpropagation at each remote.

The previously configured “master” radio is restored to service 420. TheBBA for the newly integrated face is logically restored to serviceunconditionally. The database is updated 430 by logically removing andrestoring the CCC for the newly integrated face. The CDMA is powered upand tested with a mobile device 440. The mobile device is moved aboutthe cellsite until the newly integrated face is shown on the phone'sdisplay. The system is then accessed by dialing a working number. Afterthe call has been established, it should be verified that it is digitalservice. If the call is consistently forced to analog, ensure the pagingchannel and synchronization channel have been reset, and the CCC removedand restored. If access is still not possible, the cellsite should becleared and the test repeated.

The service in an area close to the remote should be tested to obtainservice from the remote 450. The remote should be fully functional on aCDMA call. This step should be repeated for each remote on the newlyintegrated face.

The above described method of six sections interconnects a CDMAcellsite, in either a stand alone or simulcast configuration, with amicrocellular infrastructure which allows CDMA calls to be processedthrough the microcell without undue signal delay, without an oversizedsearch window, and with a padded sector size. The signal is advanced sothat the delay is unnoticed by the CDMA system and all communicationsremain in synchronization, enabling reliable call handling between acellsite and a remote microcell.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown anddescribed herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A microcellular communication system integrated with a code divisionmultiple access communications system comprising: said microcellularcommunication system having at least one remote microcell; said codedivision multiple access (CDMA) communications system comprising: a basestation in communication with said at least one remote microcell; atleast one in communication with said base station; and signal advancingcapability; means for measuring a fiber length of optical fiberconnections between said base station and said at least one remotemicrocell in said CDMA communications system; means for measuring a lossin said fiber optic connections; means for measuring remote power outputof said at least one remote microcell; means for calculating a value ofan advance of a CDMA signal; means for translating said value to adatabase for advancing said CDMA signal allowing said at least oneremote microcell to communicate with said at least one face; and meansfor setting output levels of said CDMA system from said value.
 2. Theintegrated system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means fortesting said integrated system for proper operation.
 3. The integratedsystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein said microcellular communicationssystem further comprises a stand-alone microcellular communicationssystem.
 4. The integrated system as claimed in claim 3 furthercomprising hardware for interconnecting said at least one remotemicrocell and said at least one face.
 5. The integrated system asclaimed in claim 4 further comprising: a combiner for each face to beintegrated; a meter connected to said CDMA system for measuring outputpower at said at least one face; a transmit cable connected between eachof said combiners; a receive cable connected to each of said combiners;a termination for each of said receive cables.
 6. The integrated systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein said microcellular communication systemfurther comprises a simulcast microcellular communication system.
 7. Theintegrated system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising hardware forinterconnecting said at least one remote microcell-l and said at leastone face.
 8. The integrated system as claimed in claim 7 furthercomprising: a transmit cable connected to each of said at least onefaces; a combiner connected to each of said transmit cables; aninterface module for said remote microcell wherein each of said transmitcables are connected to said interface module; a receive cable connectedbetween said interface module and said at least one face; a combinerconnected to said receive cable; and an attenuator connected to saidcombiner and said receive cable.
 9. The integrated system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said microcell communication system further comprises atransmit antenna and a receive antenna and said means for calculating anadvance of said CDMA signal further comprises: means for calculatingpropagation delay of said transmit antenna; means for calculatingpropagation delay of said receive antenna; means for selecting a lowestvalue of said propagation delay for both said transmit and said receiveantennas; means for recording said selected lowest values; means forcalculating a maximum differential of all delay calculations for saidremote microcell; means for calculating a sector size of said face;means for calculating a search window size for said face beingintegrated with said remote microcell; means for calculating an actualinput analog composite power on said face being integrated with saidremote microcell; means for calculating a total gain for said at leastone remote microcell; and means for calculating an actual gain for saidat least one remote microcell; and means for calculating CDMA inputpower for said at least one remote microcell.